Pabst Theater Group's new downtown events venue was facing the loss of its operating licenses. The Common Council is granting a reprieve.
Pabst Theater Group's new downtown events venue, which was facing the loss of its operating licenses, is getting a reprieve.
The Common Council voted Tuesday to send a recommendation from its Licenses Committee that would have rejected the venue's licenses back to the committee for further consideration.
That gives Pabst a chance to obtain a committee endorsement for tavern and public entertainment licenses at The Fitzgerald, 1119 N. Marshall St.
Ald. Robert Bauman, whose district includes venue, was among the council members supporting the action on a 10-0 vote without comment.
A Pabst representative declined to answer the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's questions about the situation.
However, a new operating plan submitted to the city shows that Pabst would limit the number of weddings and similar events to 48 annually. Ticketed cultural events, such as plays and dance performances, would be limited to 12 per year.
Bauman later told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that those operating plan changes led to the change in his position.
The committee's Sept. 27 vote came after a public hearing that included complaints from neighbors about noise from the venue. That decision was supported by Bauman.
The Fitzgerald operates on an otherwise residential block.
"These residents have a legitimate right to quiet enjoyment," Bauman wrote in September comments to the Licenses Committee. "They elect me. I have no choice but to advocate for their concerns."
Some nearby residents also said they were concerned about the number of events increasing significantly under Pabst's ownership.
A Pabst Theater Group affiliate bought the property, a historic former mansion, in July for $1.55 million. It had operated for 17 years as Villa Filomena, a venue for weddings and other events.
Pabst, in its operating plan submitted to the committee, said any music playing outside The Fitzgerald would end by 6 p.m., with indoor music "turned down to a reasonable level" at 10 p.m. and stopped by 11 p.m.
The plan, submitted by Pabst attorney Michael Maistelman, also said the venue "will not be used as a concert hall."
Pabst Theater Group mainly operates concert venues, including Miller High Life Theatre, Riverside Theater, Pabst Theater, Turner Hall Ballroom and the Back Room at Colectivo Coffee.
Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pabst Theater Group's Fitzgerald event venue gets licenses reprieve
